DFS Policy Notices
The Department of Forensic Science periodically disseminates policy notifications to all agencies served. Such notifications can be found below.
Policy Notices
DFS Policy Change – Administrative Sampling Plan for NIBIN Searches – October 15, 2018
Notice of DFS Temporary Closure – September 11, 2018
DFS Revised – Expanded NIBIN Search Areas, Changes to Toolmark and Distance Determination Submission Policies – April 2, 2018
DFS Revised Controlled Substances Submission and Weighing Policies – December 1, 2017
DFS Policy Notice – “Trace” DNA Submission Policy Revised – June 9, 2017
Notes: “Trace” DNA was previously referred to as “Touch” DNA. All other DNA submission policies remain unchanged, but are restated in this Notice for convenience.
DFS Policy Notice – Triaging of Physical Evidence Recovery Kit (PERK) Testing to Expedite Analysis – March 29, 2017
DFS Policy Change – New DUI Law and Corresponding Revisions to Process for Handling Blood Samples in Search Warrant DUI Cases – March 16, 2017
Revisions to Collection Time Periods for Physical Evidence Recovery Kit (PERK) Samples – effective September 16, 2016
DFS Policy Change – Revised Reporting Practices for Previously Unidentified Latent Prints with Subsequent Potential Identification through AFIS – effective June 15, 2016
DFS Policy Change – DUI/DUID Testing Protocol for Blood Samples in Implied Consent Cases – effective May 31, 2016
DFS Policy Change – NIBIN Association Reporting – effective July 9, 2015
Service Restoration Notices
Restoration of Trace Evidence Services in Explosives and Primer Residue (Gun Shot Residue) – effective July 1, 2016
Restoration of Video Analysis Services – effective June 23, 2015
Service Reduction Notices
Elimination of Questioned Documents Services – effective October 14, 2016
Reduction of Trace Evidence Services – effective November 5, 2014 (services partially restored on July 1, 2016)
Reduction of Forensic Photography Services – effective November 4, 2014
Reduction of Digital and Multimedia Evidence Services – effective November 4, 2014 (services partially restored on June 23, 2015)
Evidence Submission Policies
Submission Policy for Plant Material in Simple Possession of Marijuana Cases – effective January 1, 2015
Resources:
- Virginia Code §19.2-188.1(B) permits a law enforcement officer to testify as to the results of marijuana field tests in any trial for a violation of § 18.2-250.1.
- List of approved marijuana field test kits
- Link to Form DC-304 – Notice, Motion and Order for Chemical Analysis of Alleged Plant Material
- Frequently Asked Questions
Submission Policy for Safe Packaging of Syringes – effective April 17, 2013
Submission Policy for Familial DNA Searching – effective March 9, 2011
Submission Policy for Drug Residues – effective July 1, 2005